Page 58 - History of War - Issue 25-16

FORGING THE ULTIMATE BLADE

A SWORD

EVERY OC

BLADE DESIGNS HAVE ALTERED THROUGHOUT THE AGES TO RE

CLAYMORE

A short Roman sword used Not to be confused with the smaller basket-hilted
for thrusting, the gladius sword of the same name, the claymore was a
was used in conjunction two-handed broadsword found mostly in Scotland
with a large shield in between 1400 and 1700. The design was a
phalanx formation with constant in the Medieval wars between England
other soldiers. The blades and Scotland and it had a unique style of i ghting
were steel or case- – utilising the long, heavy blade and cross guards
hardened iron, but very to trap and break enemies’ blades, and the heavy
rarely made of composites pommel to strike. The sword could also be easily
of iron and steel. The reversed to make a very effective hooking weapon.
Roman army made these
swords in vast numbers,
with the work probably
being commissioned to
sword makers (gladiarii).
DESIGN WAS A CONSTANT IN THE MEDIEVAL

BETWEENENGLANDANDSCOTLANDAND IT

HADAUNIQUESTYLEOFFIGHTING”

SAXON/
SWORD

erived from the spatha,
of the Roman auxiliary,
nd-to-hand i ghting after
own. The early Saxon
Viking smiths took pattern
ng to dizzying new heights,
ng some of the i nest blades
orged.
ever, with the arrival of
d Viking armies, sword
eclined hugely, although
words, made and signed
of smiths in the 9th and
, were an exception – they
led.

58